Keeping my balance has been my challenge this past week. I laughed through most of it but there was no lack of downers. For Life, though, it was all in a day’s work. And a good thing too, because when I get my mojo back, it is nice to see that everything is as it should be. I tend to bounce back quickly because that’s the way I roll. I believe that Life is too short to be anything but happy. (I also believe I just found the title for my next post – what do ‘you think?
Simply noticing what is around me in minute detail is a big mood-changer for me, keeping my balance. I think some people call it “distraction’, but a rose is a rose is a rose, so as long as it works, it is all good.
Other staples that help me stay calm are my music, going out and capturing scenes with my camera, looking at photo albums, writing – and of course the wonderful cheer-upper with benefits, which is housework! And then, living in the moment.
Mission: Keeping my balance
On Friday, I decided to surprise my son with pizzas when he returned from school, and found I didn’t have the ingredients. But determined to have the pizzas, I walked across to the bakery opposite our condo and while waiting for my order, noticed a woman walk in with her 18 year old special needs son. While she placed her order, her son, who had a bag kept nudging her constantly. Instead of getting annoyed at him, she quickly asked the bakery guy for a pack of buns and handed it to her son, who put it in the bag and happily went and sat in one of the chairs.
Two minutes later, he was back. By this time, the bakery guy had packed a couple of items for her and she picked one one of them and gave it to her son. She kept doing this with four more packs and then settled her bill. Then her phone rang. Her son rushed over to her and gently took her helmet off her head so she could talk. She hugged him with one arm as she finished her call. Then they both got on her scooter and sped away. I was touched by her patience and kindness.
I regularly see a couple of other families with special needs children in our area while we are out walking and always feel upset at how irritated they get with their child, as if it is all the child’s fault. Sury once almost picked a fight with one kid’s Dad for his behavior. Sigh. When I saw this Mom and son at the bakery, it warmed my heart. And I felt grateful for all that I had.
On a rather hilarious note, while on my way somewhere, I had the most comic experience while waiting at the bus stop. I tend to pace up and down in the little space, sometimes with my hands in my pockets (yeah, imagine that and be amused!). Now on this particular day two women who wait for the same bus with their kids every day kept looking at me and whispering to each other. Then one of them approached me and sheepishly asked if I was the same actress who appeared in some regional TV shows. I was tempted to go along but told them I wasn’t her. They got quite friendly after that and we moved on.
You’d think that was it, eh? No.
After I returned home, I found the Internet was down. It turned out that my modem had died. So I called the service guy to replace it. While he worked on the system, I was telling my folks about how I was mistaken for a celebrity actor. We all had a good laugh and by this time, the Internet guy finished up. He got his service report signed. Then he told me that the first time he visited our place years ago, he too had thought I was that small screen celebrity. Apparently he looked for actor memorabilia and didn’t find any and so, decided for himself that I wasn’t her. Who knew?
Here are some pictures I clicked last week that helped in keeping my balance. Enjoy!
First up is this amazing anthill. If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you would have seen this photo of this ant hill in my post in March 2012
See how tall that little hill has grown! And so have the trees around it. I imagined it asking me ” So you think you are the only one who’s busy? How do ya like me now?!” Majestic eh? Intimidating, too!
I can’t imagine what this building will be transformed to, in a few months. But I think it looks stunning right now. I can imagine so many stories there. A work in progress. Like me.
So I am into revisiting today. See this pond. I’ve posted a photo of this earlier. It is so beautiful now. The green cools my eyes and my senses can feel the texture of the leaves and the flower’s petals without touching them. Lovingly maintained by its gardener.
I love this doorway. This is part of a partition in a space and has been creatively decorated with Warli Art instead of the usual plain colors. Don’t you love it? The entire partition is filled with this art and looks bright and cheerful.
I would like to highlight a comment on my post Happiness Is Celebrating with You by Mona of RichMiracleFiles (please do visit her wonderful blog – she writes beautifully). Here’s what she says:
Well here is what I feel about happiness,something that I call the PHI (Personal Happiness Index). No one else is responsible for your state of mind other than you yourself.
What goes on in your mind dictates how you will interpret the reality around you.Your internal “hum” is important for your emotional effectiveness and your own happiness and confidence .Your PHI .And your PHI is a direct outcome of your confidence,your self liking and your emotional balance in all circumstances.
What do you have to do? You simply have to remain at the highest level of your PHI ,no matter what. Realize the fact that you are the only one responsible for manufacturing your happiness,for creating your peak PHI.
That’s the truth, people. When I was 15 years old and a little annoyed about something that did not happen the way I expected, my Aunt wrote me a letter saying that nobody owes us anything. Even our parents. They do things for us out of their love, without expecting any returns. And as I read her letter, I resolved to take responsibility for the way I feel. I’ve succeeded mostly and have been rewarded with better mental and emotional health. You know the quote that goes:
“Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s.” Billy Wilder
I am linking up with Unknown Mami, who hosts Sundays In My City, my favorite meme. From her blog, we can travel the world. No tickets required.
Just one more thing:
I wondered if you had a chance to check out Farnoosh Brock’s FastTrack Promotion early bird offer that ends Monday 26th eastern time? You can grab the free strategies for getting ahead and getting closer to that promotion at work. More details here.
Now, question for you about keeping your balance
How do you do it? Please share in the comments!
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Lovely reads this week:
How to Find More Time to Do What You Love by Using the “Big Three”
20 Inspirational Wallpapers to Brighten Your Day
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Namaste!
I am glad you are here. May your day be filled with smiles!
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